Hey they should definately be optional; I would *not* buy a 5th gen if I was forced to have t-tops. They DO lessen the overall stiffness of a unit body car and add a bit of extra weight. Hardtops just look much cleaner too.

Back inlate 01, before I bought my vette I was looking to get an 02 TA WS6, but was told by 3 dealers I could not order a such a car without t-tops (anyone know if this was actually true?) - that was the deciding factor that put me off a new f-bod.

 

My feeling exactly.

 

Yes, on TRANS AMS (WS-6 or not) , T-Tops were standard, and could not be ordered without them...

 

you could've ordered a formula without them and i think you could order the WS6 package on it.

 

T-tops seem to be more popular here than they were in actual production. Of course, t-tops should be available on a 5th gen Camaro....just make sure that they are optional.

From what I'm picking up here...I don't think anyone would object if they were standard equipment on Camaro SS. That may be another way to differentiate SS from Z/28.

 

Actually, it's about dead on... If you take out the "Utter Indefference" people, it's 40 to 7 (7 being "Convertible or Sunroof is OK with me" people) in favor of T-Tops... or 85% of the poll. It's right in line with the real world.

 

Darth, what do you think of this?

 

An interesting idea... basically what they did with the 4th Gen Trans Am...

I am a huge T-Top fan, so it wouldn't bother me at all, but I'd think it would be best to keep it an option across the board... especially since you'd have to have the hardtop setup anyway for the other models...

On something like that, I think people should have a choice.

 

I would.

Lets say for arguments sake (I'm sure this will please you and IZ) that the next SS is cushier than the Z28. By that I mean it has power everything, a more comfortable suspension, exhaust note, etc. Lets also say that someone is in the market for this but really doesn't want T tops. Now what? This is the kind of thing that drives brand flexible buyers to the Ford dealer down the street.

I don't feel that standard equipment should extend to items that fundamentally change a car into something else (hardtop to T top). That should be up to the consumer.

 

Agreed.

Also, since T-Tops arent an electrical component, you don't have to worry about adding different wiring harness and stuff to the line... So, I don't think you'd increase any costs here by keeping it optional, assuming it was optional on other trim levels to begin with.

Now, I suppose there could be a cost savings of some sort if T-Tops were standard across the entire spectrum of Camaros... but I don't see that happening... though Corvette did it for years... but that is a totally different price point as well...

 

I realize this is somewhat off topic, but since we are discussing options, here goes.

The option groups have got to be made sensible next time around. When I ordered my car I wanted no power equipment. The only way I could get cruise control though was to buy group 1 which included power locks. OK fine. However, had I wanted to get power windows I would have had to buy option group 2 which included power seats and leather trim. Power windows and door locks separated into two different option groups? This made no sense and has bugged me for seven years.

You should see the look I get when people find out I have power locks but not windows.

 

No big deal---T-roof detract from the appearance. I've had 3 3rd gens w/o them and a Mustang and Monte Ss with them---never saw what the big deal is.

Of course if they are an option and you want it--go for it.

I don't want an $1100 option---and make them optional on all models.

Unless I'm mistaken, the last year or 2 (or 3?) all T/As had T-roofs as std eqwuipment---that just raises the price!!!

 

A thought just crossed my mind about the people who are saying that 4th gen t-tops leak. My car rolled off the line in December of 1994, about 8 years ago. The only time I ever get water to leak through them is when I’m washing my car with one of those high pressure washers. And that’s just the smallest amount too. I'd say the Chevy engineers did a damn good job with this t- top design. And I also I know that I’ve read here many times that the 4th gen t-tops are a huge advancement from the 3rd gen ones. Why cant history repeat it self again in this area. I’m sure they can improve t-tops design in the 5th gen from what it is now. I’m sure weight, safety, ridged ness can all be improved with the resources we have today. I mean this design we have now is about 10 years old. BTW, I kind of miss read the question. I was thinking that if t-tops were not an option and a convertible was, this would not be a huge deciding factor for me. I would probably just buy the convertible. Then again I am in the minority, they would have to completely screw up the 5th gen for me not to buy one. Having more options will bring in more sales. Which means more money. Furthermore If they had t-tops and I thought they looked good on the 5th gen body, I would defiantly get those. I agree with all of the pros that you have all stated about t-tops plus I absolutely love mine. My friend who drove a 95 Mustang GT convertible for about 6 months then got a 95 Trans Am with t-tops will tell you then same thing. He loves his t-tops more. I guess my main point is t-tops wont dictate if I buy a 5th gen Camaro or not. If there is a convertible, then Ill get that for a weekend cruiser. Now if there is only a hard top.....hmmmm don’t know if id like that so much. What is Ford selling again?

 

You couldnt get a ws6 formula after '99 or '00 if i remember correctly. And T Tops were made standard on formulas last year.

much as i like 4th gens (and love t tops!) i dont understand 4th gen formulas. they should have been cheaper then what, a thousand less than a TA? sometimes that means no t tops, leather, etc. (i think late 4th gen formulas also had standard leather as well, if i remember correctly). and ws6 shouldve always been a formula option. 3rd gen formulas came standard with ws6

 

I used to be hell bent on having t tops over a targa, but as I think about it either would suit me OK. Im not a vert fan and Im not a hard top fan, esp with how the 4th gens have it with the colored roof and black A pillars.

If you're going to make it a hard top at least color the A pillars like on 3rd gens so it doesnt look like the car was just ordered without t tops and the factory got confused.